Automobiles are wheeled vehicles that carry passengers and usually run on roads. They have a seating capacity from one to seven people and typically have four wheels. In recent years, automobiles have become the primary means of transporting people over long distances. In the United States, more than three trillion miles (five trillion kilometers) are driven each year in passenger cars. There are about 590 million passenger cars in the world, almost half of them in the United States. Throughout history, there have been many different kinds of automobiles. Some were steam powered, others used electric motors, and still more used internal combustion engines. The invention of the automobile changed people’s lives in many ways, including opening up new opportunities for work and play. It also led to the development of new industries and services, such as gas stations and convenience stores. However, the automobile also caused harm to the environment with its emission of pollutants and its use of undeveloped land for highways and parking lots.
The first automobiles were steam powered. They were heavy, slow, and expensive. In the late 1800s, the automobile was revolutionized by the invention of an internal combustion engine. This engine burned fuel, such as gasoline, diesel or kerosene. When the fuel burned, it exploded inside a cylinder, pushing a piston down and driving the wheels of the vehicle. Karl Benz of Germany built and patented the first automobile with an internal combustion engine in 1885/1886. Benz’s wife, Bertha, drove the vehicle for several miles, giving the public a glimpse of the car’s potential.
Once mass production techniques were perfected, it became possible to produce automobiles at affordable prices. In 1902, Ransom Eli Olds introduced the assembly line concept at his Oldsmobile factory. This made it possible for average families to afford an automobile. Other important advancements included electric ignition, electric self-starter (invented by Charles Kettering for the Cadillac Motor Company in 1910-1911), independent suspension and four-wheel brakes. Various pistonless rotary engine designs were tried, but none have had much success.
Today, automobiles are considered one of the most significant inventions in human history. The automobile gives people freedom and access to places that they previously could not reach. The ability to travel over long distances opens up more job possibilities and allows people to expand their social circles. It also provides a sense of safety and security that is difficult to obtain with other forms of transportation. Having your own car means that you can take your family wherever you want to go without having to depend on others for transportation. This is especially important for people living in rural areas or small towns. Owning a car can open up more opportunities for recreation, such as visiting cities and amusement parks. It is also convenient for shopping and dining out. People who do not own cars often feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of society. Having a car is also a status symbol.
